MATCH DAY ROUND UP 22.04.23

READING YMCA 2-0 SB PHOENIX

It had been a long time coming to play in this season BTC senior trophy after we received a bye in the first round and then a walkover in the second following Chalvey’s resignation from the league. So it was straight into the quarter finals and a tough game against this seasons cup specialists SB Phoenix. Their lowly league position is definitely not a reflection on their capabilities as they are catching up from a rain effected season. The conditions were good for a spring cup tie, some light sunshine developing into some gentle but persistence showers. YM were hit in the week losing young players Ethan Kitching & Kasper Hok due to injuries with keeper Kieran Lamb & Ben Cousins being away. This was softened with the return of Archie ”Titch” Denton, top scorer Pele Hagger & young striker Kuba Zmijewski. Veteran keeper Luke Howroyd covering for Lamb in goal. YM started the better of the two sides, Bozarth and Paredes forcing good saves from the Phoenix keeper. Shortly after James Bozarth suffered a hamstring injury and was replaced with Zmijewski. The Young Men far from their fluent best with the ball were still getting joy from their cross field diagonal passes. Pele & Hendrick were a huge threat from both flanks. It was a good effort from our young Honduran that forced the corner that enabled YM to open the scoring. Alfie Stephens stood over the corner and whipped in a vicious flat in swinger. The conditions at this stage were skiddy and the flight deceived the Phoenix keeper whose flailing punch saw the ball fly over his head and into the net. 1-0 to YM and a deserved lead. Phoenix started to battle back and become a real threat building through their midfield. Whilst not creating many real threats to the YM goal their best chance came after a heavy back pass from Denton forced Howroyd into an unorthodox chest control and reacting quickly to block the onrushing forwards shot. Phoenix created a couple of half chances before the half was over but The Young Men maintained their lead going into the half time break. Phoenix carried on where they left off at the restart of with some high pressing and real tenacity in their midfield. The YM back 4 and Sam Tucker in the holding midfield role aided by teenagers Stevens & Ibbotson were excellent at keeping the Slough Boys at arms length with their persistence not really causing any concerns to Howroyd’s goal. The game turned after 70 minutes when Mark Froude, deep on the edge of his box played a pin point pass over the high Phoenix back line. Zmijewski timing his run to perfection had acres of space to run into as he bore down onto the Phoenix goal. Kuba running at pace with sublime control expertly dispatched with a cool finish under the Phoenix keeper. 2-0 to The Young Men and a big step forward into the next round. The goal really knocked the energy out of our opponents who had been in the game. At this stage YM were able to add the energy of Andrej Homola and the experience of Chris & Mark Lemm. This helped us control the last 20 minutes of the game and could’ve extended the lead when Pele Hagger had a great chance saved by the Phoenix keeper. With the game coming to an end YM have played better football this season but cup football is about being effective and getting the win. We now move on to a huge semi final against last season’s TVPL champions and second place sitters Finchampstead. Whilst unbeaten against them in 2 games this season the reward of playing at The Select Car Leasing Stadium (or the Mad Stad for us!) in the final is a massive incentive for both sides. YM now focus back on the league with a quick turnaround against the same opponents SB Phoenix on Monday evening at The Cauldron.

MORTIMER DEVELOPMENT 0-3 READING YMCA RAPIDS

The Rapids booked their spot in Maidenhead Norfolkian Cup Final with a convincing 3-0 win over Mortimer Development. Goals from Joel Burton, Tom Clarke & Ricky “Magic of the Cup” Latham secured the win. The Rapids will play either Stoke Poges AFC or AFC Cressex in the final on 24th May.